I've sailed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian ships. Here's which was my favorite — and how to choose the right cruise for you.

Tech Insider : Travel
composite of Icon of the Seas, Carnival Firenze, Norwegian Prima
Mass-market cruise lines Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival all target families.

Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I sailed on Carnival's newest cruise ship and saw why young people love the brand so much

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
A busy indoor pool on a cruise ship.
Most of Carnival Cruise Line's guests are now millennial-aged amid an influx of first-time and younger cruisers.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I sailed on a Carnival cruise for the first time and saw why they're so popular for budget vacations

Tech Insider : Travel
A man taking picture of the Carnival Firenze cruise ship.
Carnival's latest 5,245-guest Firenze is great for budget cruises, so long as you're okay with the mediocre food and abundance of potential upcharges.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I sailed on Carnival's new cruise ship. See all of its amenities — and why some are better than its pricier competitors

Tech Insider : Travel
The water slide and kid's water playground on the Carnival Firenze.
Carnival Firenze's fare includes amenities like the waterslides and seven of the 15 dining venues.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

How the cheapest interior and balcony cabins on Carnival's new cruise ship compare — and why the pricier one is worth it

Tech Insider : Travel
composite of two cruise cabins on Carnival Firenze
An interior stateroom on Carnival Firenze is $160 cheaper per person than a cabin with a balcony. I recommend paying more for the private outdoor space.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I stayed in Carnival's cheapest, $90-a-day cabin on its new ship. It was ugly and windowless but shockingly spacious.

Tech Insider : Travel
bed in my Carnival Firenze cruise cabin
For about $90 a day, guests staying in Carnival Firenze's interior cabin get an ugly but surprisingly spacious hotel room at sea.

Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Subscribe to carnival-firenze